Journal des Luxus und der Moden 1786, Band I, T. 33 1786

Friedrich Justin Bertuch created this fashion plate for "Journal des Luxus und der Moden" in 1786. The composition focuses on a standing woman, presented in profile, displaying the elaborate fashion of the time. The image is structured by contrasting textures and forms, from the soft, voluminous fabrics of the dress to the stark vertical accents and the dramatic sweep of the cape. The plate is an exercise in semiotics. The fashion elements act as signs, communicating status and taste through codified visual cues. Note how the layering and detailing challenge conventional understandings of simplicity, engaging with emergent ideas of conspicuous consumption. The artist uses line and form to suggest a dynamic interplay between surface and depth, inviting the viewer to decode the complex cultural messages embedded within the image. Ultimately, Bertuch's work transcends mere documentation of fashion, offering a commentary on the social and cultural values of the late 18th century. The plate prompts us to reflect on how aesthetic choices reflect broader cultural dialogues and how these choices continually evolve and are re-interpreted.